Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maize Island Lagoon Conservation ParkHolder, South Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Waikerie |
| Established | 1 December 1966 |
| Area | 2.14 km2 (0.8 sq mi) |
| Visitation | “popular” (in 1994) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| Website | Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located near a town called Holder. This park is about 155 kilometers (96 miles) northeast of Adelaide, the state capital. It's also very close to Waikerie, only about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) east.
About Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park
This conservation park is on the southern side of the Murray River. It's made up of several pieces of land, all working together to protect nature.
Why is it Protected?
The land that makes up Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park first became a protected area on December 1, 1966. Back then, it was called a "fauna reserve." This meant it was a place set aside to protect animals.
On April 27, 1972, it officially became the Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park. This happened under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Over the years, more land was added to the park. This helped it grow and protect even more of the natural environment. As of 2019, the park covers an area of 2.14 square kilometers (about 0.83 square miles).
What's Inside the Park?
In 1982, experts described the park as a small but important place. It protects habitats found along the Murray River's flood plain. This includes areas with low-lying lagoons.
Plants and Trees
The park is home to different types of trees. You can find Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) and E. largiflorens (Black Box) trees. These trees form woodlands, which are like open forests.
Underneath the taller trees, there are smaller plants. Some common ones include Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii and Eremophila divaricata. These often grow in the lower, wetter areas. On slightly higher ground, you might see taller shrubs like Dodonaea angustissima and Acacia stenophylla. The ground is also covered with different grasses, both native and introduced. Near the shallow lagoons, there are thick areas of young River Red Gum trees.
Wildlife and Habitats
The park is a great place for many different birds. It has a "diverse avifauna," which means lots of different bird species visit the park. One special bird that lives here is the regent parrot. This parrot is not very common, making the park an important home for it.
Park Condition
Some parts of the park are very natural and haven't been changed much by people. However, other areas have been affected. For example, rabbits and vehicle traffic have caused some changes to the land. Also, some introduced grass species are common in the park.
Park Classification
Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park is known as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it's a special kind of protected area. It's set aside mainly to protect important natural features. In 1982, the park was also listed on the Register of the National Estate. This was a list of places in Australia that were important for their natural or cultural value.
